D-Rays 10, Toronto 8. The Rays salvaged the final game of the 3-game set with the Blue Jays. What a night for Carl Crawford. Crawford, who has been nursing a sore wrist all season long had one of the best offensive performances in the short history of the Devil Rays. He went 5-5, scored 5 (!) runs and drive in two. Oh wait…he also hit his 2nd home run of the season and stole 4 bases. He even climbed into the hotel of the RogersCenter and rescued a family of four from a fire, and later briefed the president on the war in Iraq…The 10 runs marked only the second time this season that Tampa had scored that many. Earlier this year, Tampa beat the White Sox 10-7. The Rays jumped out early with 4 in the first two innings, but Casey Fossum struggled and gave back three runs in the bottom of the 2nd. He then gave up the lead in the 6th and finished with 9 hits, 2 walks and 6 runs (5 earned) in 5.2 innings.

We have to feel good about this team at this stage of the season. Considering the number of injuries the Rays have suffered, the anemic hitting (last in the AL in batting average) and the repugnant bullpen (worst ERA in the majors), the team still sits only 5 games below .500 at 21-26. Tyler Walker appears to have solidified the closer role. Now the team just needs somebody to step up and claim the 8th inning set-up duties. We had hoped that would be Chad Orvella, but he has yet to get going this season. If this team could ever find some stability in the bullpen and get healthy offensively, the Rays could flirt with .500 this season. Boy would we be excited about 2007 if this team could win 80 or 81 games. Saucy!